Poll: Manual vs Automatic Gearboxes

[GRoXERs]

Automatic is just boring.
Also, since all my family owns is manual shift cars, whenever I drive one of my friends' automatic cars, I end up stomping the oversized brake pedal by accident because I forget that I'm not driving stick.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Well, I live in the UK, we have real cars.

Of course I can drive a manual, I don't get how anyone can drive an automatic, they do such horrible things. Things like downshifting halfway through a corner, or up down shifting in traffic and wearing the clutch out. Seriously, how do Americans not learn to drive a manual?
The only things that shouldn't have a gear stick are karts, slipper clutches for the win!

 

[Horticulture]

All of us stick fans are shit outta luck if we switch to electric cars. I propose we begin rationing immediately to ensure that our children's children can experience the joy of running an M3 up to the redline in first gear.

 

[Andalusa]

I can, though I really shouldn't.
'Specially not on a public road.
I prefer bikes, anyways, much more fun.

 

[chaser[phoenix]]

I've always preferred stick but now that I'm sort of unable to, I drive a semi-automatic with paddle-shifters so I'll just go with automatic.

 

[Grampy_bone]

I learned on a stick shift and every car I've owned has been a manual. When I worked in the car business I was surprised to find how few people could drive one. Everyone should learn how to drive a stick because it is a skill which will eventually be useful to you in your life.

Or maybe I'm just bitter that my friends don't know how to drive a stick and so I always have to be sober cab.

P.S. chicks also dig guys who drive a stick.

 

[JokerGrin]

I'll be doing my test pretty soon, in the UK and gears are no problem at all. It's just reversing I need to work on now, then done.

Come to think of it, driving an automatic would maybe feel too easy. Isn't it just basically "Go" and "Stop"? I quite enjoy mucking about with the gears. Feels like you have real control.

 

[tijuanatim]

Ive always wanted to learn to drive stick, but the oppurtunity has yet to present itself. Sad Face.

Although I think I would still prefer automatic. It allows me to pick the song on my iPod or text while driving. Yeah I'm that guy, but you know what I'm good at it and I never do it in heavy traffic or on the interstate/highway

 

[Inverse Skies]

Manual all the way. I've actually neve driven an automatic car - I learnt in a manual and I'm still driving one. It'd feel strange to have my left foot/left hand not doing anything whilst driving now.

 

[Fronken]

I'm a swedish person who knows how to drive manual, i dont have my license though (budget problems), but when i do get my license i'll hopefully get an automatic car, why?, because there's really no downside to it, its much easier to drive and its much more comfortable, meaning you can spend less time shifting gears and more time changing music and looking at nice chicks etc..

 

[Horticulture]

I'm a swedish person who knows how to drive manual, i dont have my license though (budget problems), but when i do get my license i'll hopefully get an automatic car, why?, because there's really no downside to it, its much easier to drive and its much more comfortable, meaning you can spend less time shifting gears and more time changing music and looking at nice chicks etc..

Most men can handle a stick and look at chicks simultaneously...

 

[new_age_reject]

I don't drive and probably wont ever learn or get a car due to the economics of it.
It's way expensive at the moment and it's only going to get more expensive.
Plus, I'm a biker all the way.

 

[Fronken]

I'm a swedish person who knows how to drive manual, i dont have my license though (budget problems), but when i do get my license i'll hopefully get an automatic car, why?, because there's really no downside to it, its much easier to drive and its much more comfortable, meaning you can spend less time shifting gears and more time changing music and looking at nice chicks etc..

Most men can handle a stick and look at chicks simultaneously...

I see what you did there ^^

 

[Alex_P]

I drive a CVT.

It's like an automatic without fixed gear ratios. Good fuel economy, very responsive, no fiddly bullshit.

-- Alex

 

[wordsmith]

I didn't vote, because there's no "Canada" option. (I guess that falls under US, but whatever.)

I'd guess that's "Non-UK/US"?

I'm a swedish person who knows how to drive manual, i dont have my license though (budget problems), but when i do get my license i'll hopefully get an automatic car, why?, because there's really no downside to it, its much easier to drive and its much more comfortable, meaning you can spend less time shifting gears and more time changing music and looking at nice chicks etc..

Most men can handle a stick and look at chicks simultaneously...

innuendo much?

 

[PureChaos]

i drive a manual. a friend used to drive manual, then got an automatic and said he's never go back to manual.

 

[sneakypenguin]

mustang GT's are only manual, because you can get more power out of it. I like running it up past 6000 rpm in 2nd = 80 mph.

Huh, nay most GT's are the five speed automatic(the old cobras are 6 speed manual, with regular GT's having the 5 speed man. or slushbox(the older 93-2004 stangs had a 4 speed slushbox IIRC or 5 speed stick). A manual will not really get you more power, maybe a smidgen more than an auto as you don't lose power though the torque converter...
Also remind me not to buy a car from you ( I can feel/smell burning clutch fluid from here)
/picky car guy

 

[Splyth]

I can use a stick shift. I'm by no means the greatest at it. I tend to grind gears slightly but I can do it.

 

[CapnGod]

Also, sticks are easy. Just remember this simple rule of thumb:

If the gears don't fit, grind 'em until they do.